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This study was carried out to estimate the genetic diversity between cultivars of alfalfa using SRAP marker system (sequence-related amplified polymorphism). We tested 25 combinations of SRAP markers and revealed that seven of them were informative for DNA polymorphism identification. These combinations generated 129 PCR products with the percentage of polymorphic bands per pair ranging from 21 to 50%. Specific amplification products were identified for 14 cultivars for genetic certification.

The knowledge of the ancestry of an unknown individual from forensic DNA may provide important information for law enforcement investigation. This information can be acquired from biological traces by means of massive parallel sequencing (MPS) technologies and developed arrays of ancestry informative DNA markers (AIM panels). Development of forensic AIM panels takes two steps: (1) obtainment of information on DNA polymorphism of individuals from different populations; (2) selection of polymorphic DNA markers (autosomal, Y-, X-chromosomal) and their validation. The necessity of keeping medical secrecy for the protection of human rights may limit the usage of ancestry informative markers suitable for forensic needs if they are also associated with genetic diseases and physical traits. The present article deals with the analysis of published strategies for selecting markers capable of differentiating populations to design a panel of ancestry informative markers and applying it in forensic analysis in the Republic of Belarus.

Genetic polymorphism of the Uralian relict plant species, yellow foxglove Digitalis grandiflora Mill. (family Scrophulariaceae), was examined using RAPD and ISSR techniques. A total of 149 RAPD and 74 ISSR markers were tested. The indices characterizing polymorphism and genetic diversity were calculated. The data obtained pointed to a high level of genetic variation of D. grandiflora (P95 = 65%). The cenopopulation examined was weakly differentiated with most of genetic diversity accounted by within-population differentiation.

Two groups of regenerant plants were obtained from different pea genotypes (lines R-9 and W-1 and cultivar Viola). The first group was derived after eight months of culture and the second, from calluses cultured for a prolonged (more than ten years) time. Using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) methods, the regenerants and the original lines were compared with regard to genetic differences. The regenerants from both groups were shown to differ in DNA polymorphism from the original lines and from one another. The divergence of the regenerants was also different, depending largely on the original genotype. Examination of genetic differences between the first and the second group showed that the variability increased with culturing time. This was particularly evident for regenerants of the Viola cultivar, in which variability ranged from 0–5% (first group of regenerants) to 10% (second group of regenerants).